Okanagan College and Central Okanagan School District (SD 23) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a groundbreaking new program called Early College.
Early College provides access to education opportunities and a supported transition to College for high-ability youth facing circumstances that would hinder their academic performance at a traditional secondary school. It is a unique dual-credit academic program for students interested in going into arts, sciences, technologies or office administration.
“This MoU goes to the heart of how Okanagan College executes its mission of transforming lives and communities,” says Tom Styffe, chair of Okanagan College’s Board of Governors.
“Early College provides a supportive learning opportunity for students who want academic opportunities and who may not otherwise attend college. It will ultimately contribute to a better educated population in the Okanagan.”
Starting in September, SD 23 students can enrol in Early College—a supported and customized program that will enable them to graduate with both a secondary school diploma and academic college credits.
Target enrolment is 30 Grade 11 students in September 2014 and 60 Grade 11 and 12 students in September 2015.
Students will have a homeroom at Okanagan College where they receive all of their instruction for the Early College program and have support from Okanagan College’s student services.
“This innovative dual-credit program is another example of how the strong partnership between the Central Okanagan School District and Okanagan College is focused on developing the attributes of regional secondary students,” says SD 23’s Moira Baxter.
The Central Okanagan School District will provide all administrative staff, teachers and counsellors for the delivery of the secondary school component of the program and Okanagan College will provide classroom space, administrative liaison, student services and faculty and instructors for the college courses that are part of the Early College program.
